Scotch Recipes

How To Drink Scotch Like A Man (And Enjoy It)

Of all the hard alcohols, Scotch separates the men from the boys. You'll never wander into a rowdy uni bar and overhear someone ordering a Glenlivet on the rocks or a Johnny Walker and water. But you're bound to hear all of the other major liquors shouted across the bar at the bartender: gin and tonic, vodka-cranberry, margarita, Jack and Coke, pina colada — the usual suspects in the getting-hammered lineup. There aren't any well-known mixed-drink recipes for Scotch, besides throwing some water or soda water in it, so Australians don't develop a taste for the stuff until their boozing palates have matured.

What goes with Scotch?

Scotches have strong smoky and earthy tastes, so it's tough to find mixers that go well with them. Plus, the imported Scottish juice has historically been more expensive than, say, bourbon, so few wanted to muddle the premium taste. That is, until the current mixology renaissance.

Bartenders are learning that Scotch is useful for more than just pleasing the old man in the corner. The following six cocktails, which vary from easy to advanced, are great ways to develop a taste for Scotch or to discover new ways to enjoy an old favourite. Also, let's be honest, you don't really want to fully taste the cheap Scotch you scrimped for and finally bought, right?

Scotch Recipe: The Godfather

45ml Scotch20ml amaretto almond liqueur

Introduce Scotland to Italy by adding some amaretto to the whiskey. This is an easy, two-ingredient drink that both new and seasoned Scotch drinkers will enjoy. The liqueur takes the hard bite off the whiskey without totally diluting its unique flavour. This is a great winter and holiday cocktail. Enjoy it after a hard day of skiing or after dinner while sitting around the fire. Plus, it's a whole lot manlier than eggnog.

The Rusty Screw

A variation on the classic Rusty Nail, which is Drambuie, Scotch and a lemon twist, the Rusty Screw is a bit sweeter and cheaper since you don't need to buy the Drambuie. The orange liqueur is what makes it a "screw" instead of a "nail," since Screwdrivers are made with orange juice. For people who like their drinks sweeter, add grenadine and they'll be happy.